The day finally came and then went just as quickly. Isn’t it crazy how we wait and anticipate something that’s going to take place and then it feels as though you blinked and it was over? R.E.M. were amazing and Stephen had the best time of his life. I feel that he revisited his childhood for an evening. The band and visual show were superb, but the seating left something to be desired. I had never seen a show at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley before, so didn’t know what to expect. We had lawn seats which seem comfy and spacious, but ended up being on the side of a steep hill and among about 1,000 others who were also trying to keep themselves from tumbling like Jack and Jill down the hill. Fortunately, if you were lucky enough to find a small cut-away area in the grass to perch yourself on, it was a pleasant experience. No more complaining… here’s a fun clip from the show. I would recommend seeing them soon if you’re a fan. Carpe diem! Enjoy.
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For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved stuff that has been handcrafted, made from things of the past. Growing up, I would raid my Grandpa’s junk yard for materials that I could fix up or include in some latest art venture. Ok, I admit, I still do this. Last weekend, I took home an old wooden frame that I found on his back porch. This look has become crazy popular lately. Everything is made to look old-fashioned, worn, antique… the older the better it seems.
Since starting this blog, I’ve been doing a bit more web surfing that normal and have discovered that this handcrafted, independent type of art, whether visual, music, fashion or film carries the label “indie” as of late. I think it’s somewhat ironic that this has become the staple look, sound and feel of everything commercial when in it’s very nature “indie” means to be independent, made by hand and self-sufficient. That’s America for you.
Anyway, back to my Grandma and Grandpa’s house. I mentioned that I visited last weekend. I always knew they had collected old stuff throughout the years, but never fully realized how incredibly sweet it all is. I took some pictures to share. I love that years before “indie” anything became popular, my grandparents were just being completely authentic with what they liked.
Dreaming about R.E.M. next weekend. (sigh)
by Weston Teruya & Michele Carlson
April 21 - May 24, 2008
Gallery Hours: Wed-Sat, 12-6pm
Opening Reception: Monday April 21, 6-9pm
A collaborative installation by Weston Teruya & Michele Carlson that looks at the construction of nationhood and identity through a sculptural disruption of institutional educational spaces. This project exposes the power dynamics contained within the architecture and set-up of traditional American classrooms and explores how histories of marginalized communities are taught and absorbed into concepts of nationhood and citizenship. This new installation destabilizes and re-imagines the environment that we learn and grow up in.
“Weston Teruya’s…provocative mixed-media works on paper articulate powerful cycles of creation and destruction.” - Glen Helfand, Artforum
“…to appreciate Michele Carlson’s [work]…you could be jumping up and down and not miss out.” - Hiya Swanhuser, SF Weekly
This week I’ve been a crafting fool. I’m thinking about the damage I’ve done so far and it’s only Tuesday. I found this fabric at a wholesale fabric warehouse yesterday. I drive by this place everyday. It’s like one of those places that you see, but you don’t see. You know what I mean? Anyway, I finally visited it and they have great fabrics that are incredibly affordable. Who knew?
Rosa liked it too…
I started a small quilt for my good friend whose having a baby boy in July. I’ve only finished the front as of today. There’s nothing more fun than vintage cowboys (and girls).
Yesterday, I ventured to a new project. I’ve been wanting some sort of hanging solution by the front door. Something to hang the keys, dog leash, etc. I discovered the section at the craft store that has all the unfinished wood objects and found some great plaques. They come in all shapes and sizes. I also had some cool fabric left over from a former project. So I whipped these babies up. Quick and easy!
Tools you will need:
fabric
wood plaque
hat and coat hook set (hook and screws)
sawtooth picture hanger set (hanger and nails)
sheetrock screw (to mount to wall)
scissors
staple gun
hammer
power drill (phillips bit)
How to:
1. With your scissors and fabric, cut out a piece of fabric about 1.5 to 2 inches larger than the size of your wood plaque (large enough to stretch around and behind it).
2. Stretch the fabric around and behind the wood plaque on one side and staple with the staple gun. To stretch the fabric evenly, make sure to staple once in the center of all four sides before stretching the rest.
3. Center your hook in the middle of the plaque, on top of the fabric, and screw in place.
4. Nail the sawtooth picture hanger on the back.
5. Mount it on the wall by hanging it from the sheetrock screw.
*Note: These are intended for lighter objects like a set of keys, dog leash or a hat. In order to make them more stable for heavier things such as coats or bags, you may want to use longer sheetrock screws and drill directly through the wood plaque into the wall behind it.
No, not my oven… My sister’s. She’s prego! I found out this last weekend while visiting. She’s about six weeks along and she’s so excited. Out of the three of us, this will be the first baby in the family. What a crazy feeling, to add another branch to the tree.
She’s due around or on Christmas Day. Fun. Merry Christmas to all. I’m dying to know if it’s a boy or girl… or both. Her husband’s a twin. Wouldn’t that be a trip. Ok, I already have tons of crafty baby projects brewing. Stay tuned for updates to come.
Enjoying… tomato soup, Cinematic Orchestra’s mellow beats, coffee house conversation, time for thought, thankfulness, colors, perfect temperature, flip flops, pride, life without expectation or assumption. Steve’s at band practice, the dog is safely kept at home, and I’m sitting here also feeling shocked and a little overwhelmed by the possibilities that lay ahead of me. I’m only 26. I shouldn’t be this blessed. God, what the hell are you thinking? I’m not complaining… I mean, this is what I’ve always wanted. I’m extremely thankful. I guess I just didn’t really expect this to happen until I retired at like 55. When one is faced with the option to not work on a daily basis, it seems they would be elated and have all these aspirations of things to accomplish and dreams to fulfill, wouldn’t they? I haven’t had time to prepare myself so, I’m not sure what my aspirations or dreams are just yet… or maybe I’m freaking out because I can now actually work toward them. I have to make something of myself. I don’t have an excuse anymore. Here goes everything…
These make me smile. A bit of nostalgic old fashioned charm. That’s what I’m all about. Throughout history, these have been made from scraps of leftover fabric, but these pincushions are made with ribbon remnants, shirting fabric, and felt. These new materials work especially well because its edges won’t fray. You could also give these as a gift or use them to decorate your crafty space. You could also venture out to create other fruit and vegetable pincushions. I have way too much time on my hands…
Tools and Materials:
Fabric and ribbon remnants
Sewing machine
Needle and thread
Scissors
Fine sand or emery
#3 pearl-cotton thread or felt, for berries’ tops
6-strand embroidery floss, for seeds
Fabric glue
How to:
1. Begin by printing out the template [provided by marthastewartliving.com] Trace the cone template onto fabric, then cut out the shape. Fold the fabric into a cone shape, right sides facing, and stitch together along one edge, leaving a narrow seam allowance.
2. Sew an even running stitch along the perimeter of the opening (will be the top of the berry). Before cinching the top, place the cone in a small jar for balance, and fill it with sand or emery (keeps the pins sharp). Pull the thread taut, and stitch the top closed.
3. For the strawberry’s top, trace the cap template onto a piece of felt, cut out the shape, and affix it in place with a drop of glue; then sew along the edges with a slip stitch. Or, create leaves by sewing long stem stitches onto the strawberry using the pearl-cotton thread, leaving a loop of floss at the top for a handle. Embroider seeds onto berry using embroidery floss with a single stitch or a French-knot stitch.
I’m sitting in my living room drinking coffee and eating leftovers from our Zachary’s Pizza gathering last night. Oh, the sweetness. A good friend of ours, Dan, was in town. We met in Berkely at this pizza joint that has become so popular, we had to wait for about an hour and a half to get a table. Luckily, they served beer, so we were content with that and the company. Dan and Steve go way back. A lover of life and dreams, that one. It was good to see him.
This morning I found a site to share, Reprodepot Fabrics. They have really cute vintage, retro and Japanese imported fabrics. They carry patterns, buttons, patches and sewing accessories as well. I was surprised to see that the prices aren’t too bad either. Great stuff… check it out.
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